STATELINE, Nev. – All those years of playing cornhole at family barbecues or tailgating outside Mackay Stadium might just pay off as the American Cornhole Organization (ACO) makes a two-day major tournament stop in Lake Tahoe for its Season 22 on September 4 and 5.
First established in 2005 by founder and president Frank Geers, the ACO went from concept to international sensation, becoming the official governing body of the sport of cornhole, providing a comprehensive and standardized set of rules, along with services and programs that enhance the game.
“Cornhole is a backyard game that is played around the world, and this organization came about to try to organize it into a competitive structure and to also create a community,” said Michael “Fin” Walter, ACO’s Announcer.
Now, ACO Majors can be found all over the country and are the main cornhole tournaments of the season, even expanding internationally to Canada and the United Kingdom. They act as membership-based competitions for all skill levels where players can earn World Ranking points that help them qualify for the World Championship. Competition divisions include World Singles, World Doubles, Women’s Singles, Seniors Singles, Juniors Singles, Coed/Coed Doubles and Blind Draw.
Non-members can also join in on the fun as ACO invites the local community to come out and show off their cornhole skills in “play-to-play” games.
“One of the great things about [cornhole] is that it’s such an easy game. It’s so portable,” said Walter. “Anyone can play. We have players who are 8-years-old and players who are 88-years-old.”
This year marks the ACO’s second time in Lake Tahoe as Walter notes of their plans to return again next season and continue to grow the game around the country and especially here in the Basin.
“I love everything about [Lake Tahoe], from the nature hiking to the vast number of things there are to do in the area,” said ACO Founder, Geers. “Whether you’re spending time at one of the awesome bars and restaurants or taking a casino trek, everything is an amazing experience in and of itself. We feel very fortunate to offer Lake Tahoe as a destination for our players, families and friends.”
The two-day ACO Lake Tahoe Major is free for spectators and will take place on September 4 and 5 at the Tahoe Blue Event Center starting around 8 a.m. with no set end time due to varying participation. For locals looking to play, you’re encouraged to arrive and head to the registration table where you will be provided with more information and instructions on how to join.
“We always say, ‘strangers are just friends we haven’t met yet’, so everyone that comes in is welcome. They’ll even find themselves playing side-by-side, sometimes, with some of the best players in the word,” Walter added.
To learn more about the American Cornhole Organization, to become a member, or to view their Season 22 Major tournament schedule, visit americancornhole.com.
Tahoe Blue Event Center is located at 75 Highway 50 in Stateline, Nev.
